It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. If this is true, then it is only fitting a picture vividly portrays a man incapable of speech.
Over the course of decades, many G.I. Joe fans have developed an appreciation for Snake Eyes’ unparalleled martial arts prowess and skill with a Ninjato blade. However, few appreciate the tragedy that motivated the ninja to become what he is today. The losses he has experienced go far beyond his voice. It was the loss of Snake Eyes’ family that motivated him to train under Storm Shadow’s family clan. The former friends and “sword brothers” were pitted against one another as members of G.I. Joe and Cobra, respectively. Snake Eyes has silently endured the misfortune that shaped his character. As well, Snake Eyes’ uniform has evolved with him, gradually transforming from a traditional soldier’s uniform to several prototypes of the black bodysuit and visor he wears today.
Many have come to appreciate the appearance Snake Eyes has taken in the skillful hands of an action figure customizer known as “Magnuz.” The Snake Eyes action figure he has created captures the essence of a man who could rapidly dispatch a jungle full of Cobra troops and remain undetected.
Ironically, the heroic ninja was constructed from a villain. Snake Eyes is primarily a reconstituted Marvel Legends Bullseye figure. Spare Bullseye belts from leftover customs fabricate Snake Eyes’ shoulder harness. The gun holster was transferred from a Marvel Legends Deadpool figure. The visor is an ankle guard from a McFarlane Spawn Nitro Riders figure, and the sword was previously the accessory of a Metal Gear Solid 2 Raiden figure.
The figure’s face was reshaped using a Dremel tool in order to present the appearance of a mask, as shown in the work in progress picture below:
Once the initial assembly was complete, the figure was painted black. The harness, belt, gloves, boots, and pouches were “drybrushed” with an additional layer of dark silver paint to present a leatherlike appearance. The end result is one of the most detailed Snake Eyes figures ever produced.
Though no one is certain what appearance Snake Eyes may adopt or where he’ll strike next, everyone can be certain that he will always be a Real American Hero.
Works Cited:
The Mag. Snake Eyes.
http://www.fwooshnet.com/mag/snakeeyes.php
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Snake Eyes (G.I. Joe).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_Eyes_%28G.I._Joe%29
